COVID-19 Information

Please note that the City of Newport has issued a State of Emergencyto help more effectively address the threat presented by the COVID-19 virus. Residents, visitors, and business owners are advised that City Hall will be closed to the public until further notice. For additional information, please be sure to visit the City's dedicated COVID-19 webpage
by clicking here →

Tax Assessor's Office

The Tax Assessors Office functions under the laws of Rhode Island and Ordinances established by the Newport City Council.

According to Rhode Island General Law, all property subject to taxation shall be assessed at its Fair Market Value. Assessments estimate the Fair Market Value each December 31st. Fair Market Value is defined as the price at which a property would transfer between knowledgeable unrelated parties, after reasonable exposure to the public, and without undue influence. Actual sale prices form the basis for this analysis.

The last revaluation of property in Newport was done as of 12/31/2017. These values were presumed to be 100% of Fair Market Value as of that date. This information is currently being hosted on the Vision Appraisal web site (click here).

Vehicles registered in Newport, RI are taxed for the PREVIOUS calendar year, (i.e. 2019 tax bills are for vehicles registered during the 2018 calendar year).

By law you are required to change your address with the Rhode Island DMV within 10 days of moving. By law you are required to physically return your plates to the Rhode Island DMV.

You are taxed on the amount of days you have an active registration. Moving, selling, gifting, junking your vehicle, throwing away your plates, registering your vehicle in a new State etc. do not constitute the proper way of canceling your registration.

If you do not return your plates to the DMV you will be responsible for the taxes until you do so or the plates expire, whichever occurs first. Please see www.dmv.ri.gov for more information and the correct procedure for returning your license plates. Do not mail your plates to the Assessor's office.

Businesses registered in Newport, RI are taxed for the PREVIOUS calendar year, (i.e. 2019 tax bills are for active businesses during the 2018 calendar year).

You have an active business if you have not properly closed your business by either closing with the Assessor's office in person or by filling out the Close of Business form by mail.

Submitting a Close of Business form is the ONLY acceptable way of officially closing your business with the City as stated on your application with the Tax Assessor's office when you opened your business.

We cannot close your account retroactively. Example: If you say you closed your business in 2017 but did not file the close of business until 2018, you will be responsible for the tax bill you receive in 2018

Follow the instructions listed and submit your application to this office as soon as possible. You are exempt for the time you are on orders in Newport. If you retain the plates after you have transferred from the area, you will be responsible for any taxes that have accrued or will accrue once you leave the area.